Secobarbital and Cinchocaine
A potent combination euthanasia agent containing **secobarbital** (a barbiturate) and **cinchocaine** (a local anesthetic with cardiotoxic properties). It is used exclusively for the humane euthanasia of dogs and cats. > **Clinical Warning:** This is a highly potent drug that is rapidly and highly toxic to humans. Extreme care must be taken to avoid accidental self-administration. It must **never** be used for general anesthesia as it is non-sterile and deliberately cardiotoxic.
Mechanism: The combination works synergistically to ensure rapid and peaceful euthanasia: * **Secobarbital** → Rapidly and profoundly depresses the Central Nervous System (CNS), including the respiratory centers, leading to rapid loss of consciousness and cessation of respiration. * **Cinchocaine** → Exerts marked cardiotoxic effects at high doses. It depresses cardiac conduction → resulting in early cardiac arrest. **Clinical Pearl:** Because cardiac arrest is not dependent on the development of profound hypoxia, euthanasia with this combination is generally not accompanied by the agonal gasping that may occur with other agents.
Dosing by species
- Euthanasia · 0.25 ml/kg · IV · once · over 10-15 seconds · Administer over 10-15 seconds to minimize premature cardiac arrest. IV catheter recommended.
- Euthanasia · 0.25 ml/kg · IV · once · over 10-15 seconds · Administer over 10-15 seconds to minimize premature cardiac arrest. IV catheter recommended.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Must NOT be used for anesthesia (non-sterile and cardiotoxic)
Adverse effects
- Pain on injection (if administered perivascularly)
- Excitement (if administered perivascularly or too slowly)
Monitoring
- Confirmation of cardiac arrest (auscultation)
- Confirmation of respiratory arrest
- Absence of corneal reflex
- Loss of pupillary light reflex
Overdose
Not applicable. This medication is intended to induce death.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.